Recipe ideas for a child’s lunchbox.

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The latest from the blog​

Octopus Garden Pasta Salad​

This fun, kid-friendly pasta salad is perfect for packing in a thermos for school lunches, picnics, or on-the-go adventures. It’s a whimsical take on a classic, celebrating the bounty of the garden (and the sea!) with bright flavors and playful shapes. This recipe is inspired by my Midwestern roots and my daughter’s love for simple, delicious meals.

  • Yields: 4 servings
  • Prep time: 20 minutes
  • Cook time: 8-10 minutes

Ingredients

Pasta

  • 1 lb octopus-shaped pasta (or other fun shapes)
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 cup cucumber, diced
  • 1/2 cup black olives, sliced (optional, for “octopus ink”)
  • 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped

Dressing

  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar (or apple cider vinegar for a milder flavor)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon honey or maple syrup (optional, for a touch of sweetness)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the octopus pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. This ensures the pasta stays firm and doesn’t get mushy in the thermos.
  2. While the pasta cooks, prepare the vegetables. Halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber, slice the black olives (if using), and finely dice the red onion. Chop the fresh parsley and dill.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar (or apple cider vinegar), lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey/maple syrup (if using), salt, and pepper.
  4. In a large bowl, combine the cooked and cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, black olives, red onion, parsley, and dill.
  5. Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and toss gently to coat evenly.
  6. Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. This also helps it stay cool in the thermos. Before packing, give it another gentle toss. Pack the chilled pasta salad into a thermos.

Tips & Variations

  • For a heartier salad, add cooked and cooled shrimp, chickpeas, or diced grilled chicken.
  • Feel free to add other vegetables like bell peppers, chopped celery, or blanched green beans. A little sweet corn would be a delicious addition.
  • Crumbled feta or cubed mozzarella cheese would be a tasty addition.
  • Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the dressing for a kick.
  • Let your child help assemble the salad. They can choose their favorite vegetables and help mix everything together. This is a great way to get them involved in the kitchen and teach them about healthy eating.
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